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Taking a huge step closer to NYC’s ambitious 80 by 50 goal, Mayor de Blasio recently announced the launch of the city’s green-minded Technical Working Group (TWG). The group is made up of more than 40 industry leaders, experts and advocates who will help propel the city towards its ambitious objective of reducing NYC’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

De Blasio’s bold plan to drastically cut the city’s emissions makes New York City the largest city in the world to commit to the 80 by 50 goal. Under the ten-year plan, officially called NYC Built to Last, the mayor outlines the city’s goal of retrofitting public and private buildings in order to significantly reduce the city’s environmental impact, simultaneously generating more green jobs and overall operational savings within the city. The new group, which consists of over 40 members from multi-disciplinary sectors and backgrounds, will be charged with implementing mandates that will meet the city’s emissions reduction goals.

“We know that climate change is an existential threat to our city and our planet,” said Mayor de Blasio. “That’s why this fall, we made a sweeping commitment to retrofit our city’s building stock, leading by example in public buildings and partnering with the private sector to do the same. With the launch of the Technical Working Group, we’re another step closer to making these ambitious goals a reality. I’m grateful to each member for their commitment and expertise, and look forward to working together to ensure a stronger, more sustainable New York City.”

The new Technical Working Group (TWG) will include leaders from NYC’s real estate sector as well as architects, engineers, labor unions, affordable housing experts, and of course, environmental advocates and specialists. The common goal of the group will be to research, develop and implement policies and programs that will focus on reducing building-based emissions by 2025, leading the way for the final objective: a whopping 80 percent reduction by 2050.